Hold-tight rail connection



Patented Oct. 23, 1923.

UNITED STATES FRANCIS O. HELTZEIQ, OF WARREN, OHIO.

HOLD-TIGHT RAIL CONNECTION.

Application led March 5, 1921. Serial No. 449,917.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANCIS O. HELTZEL, citizen of the United States, residing at Warren, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hold-Tight Rail Connect-ions, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing. p

The present invention relates to concrete forms, and more particularly to road forms using rais for defining the edges of a concrete road, sidewalk, er the. like.`

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved devise for holding in place the adjacent ends oit the rails, whereby to maintain such rails in alinement and to support the ends thereof against depression under the weight of a road nishing machine or other apparatus run on the rails.

Another object is the provision of such a device of novel and improved construction for obtaining a secure and rigid joint between the rails ends, whereby to prevent the separation of the rails, as well as the lateral or vertical displacement thereof. Y

A still further object the provision ci such a device having a base to bear on the 11o ground or road bed and to be anchored thereto, in order to hold the rails in positionV and assist in supporting vthe ends thereci against depression,

Another object is the provision of such :x'i a device including a member of novel. construction to fit the adjacent end portions of the rails, and to be clamped or secured to the rails, the rail ends and said member having portions to inter-engage for obtain- .io ing a rigid and tight joint.

.A further object is the provision of such a device which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, and which is convenient, practical and eflicient in use, as

l5 well as being quickly applied to and removed from the rails.

Vith the foregoing and other objects in View, which wil be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in 10 the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

rails.

Fig. 4C is a horizontal section on the line 4-11 of Fig. 3 looking upward.

Fig. 5 is a. vertical sectionon the line 55 of Fig. 3.

The rails?, such as are usedin the 'construction of concrete roads, and the like, as shown, are bent from sheet metal and-have the upright portions or webs 7, with outturned base flanges 8 at their lower edges to bear on the ground or road bed and said webs 7 have'outturned tops or tread portions 9, at their upper edges. The tread portions 9 have depending flanges 10 toy stiften them. These rails are laid end to end and the rod is built up by pouringl the concrete between the opposite rails, which serve ,to define the edges otv the road, while the tread or top portions 9 define the surface of the road, at the opposite edges. In surfacing the road, it is the practice to run a. finishing machine or device on the tread yportions 9 of the rails, thereby imposing more or less weight on the rails, and the base flanges-8 are therefore of suflicient width to support the rails onV the ground or road bed.

In carrying out the present invention, the rail ends are secured rigidly together, and, for this purpose, outstanding abutment plates 11 are secured to the ends of the rails at right angles therewith and substantially flush with such ends of the rails. The plates 11 are disposed in transverse vertical planes to abut one another when the rails are disposed end' to end, and said plates have the lower horizontal anges 13 and the vertical flanges 12 extending away from the ends of the rails and secured to the base flanges 8 and webs 7 of the rails by means of rivets 14 or the like. These abutment plates 11 have the horizontal slots 15 and the vertical slots 16 to register with one another, tor the reception of clamping keys 17 and 18, respectively.

A joint member, constructed of suitable metal, is provided to tit the adjacent ends of the rails over the plates 11, and is of angular form. Said member has the lower horizontal outstanding base portion 19 and the upstanding pedestal portion 20 arranged at right angles with the portion 19, to fit within the angle between the webs 7 and base flanges 8 of the rails. Said portions 19 and 2O have a slot 21 extending across the corner between them, for receiving the abutment plates 11, whereby the joint member when lapplied to the rails over said plates, will thereby prevent the separation of the rails. The portion 19 has downturned flanges 22 along its side edges, while the portion 2O has flanges 23 bent or turned toward the webs 7 of the rails. The flanges 22 seat on the base flanges 8 of the rails, while the flanges 23 bear Iagainst the outer sides of the web 7, and said flanges 22 and 23 can fit snugly against the edges of the flanges 13 and 12, respectively, of the plates 11, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, whereby to Iassist in holding the rail ends together. As shown, the portions 19 and 20 have corner webs 24 between them adjacent to the anges 22 and 23 for bracing the pedestal portion 20.

An angular slotted pad 25 ot suitablesheet metal is welded or otherwise secured to the portions 19 and 2() within the angle between them, Iand its slot registers with the slot 21 for the passage of the plates 11. The horizontal and vertical portions of the pad 25 are provided with pairs of convexed corrugations or ribs 26 transversely thereof at the opposite sides of the slot 21 and in transverse alinement, with 'a grooved seat or portion 27 between each pair ot corrugations 26. The seats 27 register with the slots-15 and 16 of the plates 11 for the engagement of the keys 17 and 18, when they are driven through the plates 11, and said seats 27 'are spaced from the portions 19 and 20, so as to be resilient or yieldable when the keys are driven into place, to provide for a tight clamping of the joint, even though the portions ot the rails may vary slightly, due to the fact that it is, in practice, diicult to form the rails to exact measure ments between the angles thereof.

The pedestal portion 2O has an offset 28 above the slot 21 extending to the webs 7 from which the portion 29 extends upwardly to bear against said. webs, and the portion 29 is bent or curved forwardly and downwardly, to provide a convexed or rounded head 30 to fit snugly within the tread or top portion of the rails, as seen in Fig. 3. The head 30 is convexed or rounded transversely of the rails-to bear upwardly against the tread portions 9, and to bear outwardly against the ianges 10. The portion 29 has outstanding flanges 30 extending along the side edges thereof :trom the offset 23 to the end ot the head 30, to brace said head.

The joint member has a downwardly extending offset 31 at the outer end of the portion 19 to extend down across or abut the edges of the base anges S, and a base 32 extends horizontally outward from the oil'- set 31, to be disposed substantially flush with the lower surfaces oit the flanges 8 and to bear on the ground or road bed, and thereby assist in supporting the rail ends. The base 32 has upturned ianges 33 along its side edges extending trom the ends of the offset 31 and converging outwardly to a vertical stake socket 34 from the outer end of the base 32. rThe socket 34 is for the purpose of the passage of a metal stake 35 driven downwardly through said socket into the ground, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, after the rails have been properly positioned, whereby to anchor the joint in place, and preventY horizontal displacement. A vertical web 36 connects the base 32, otiset 31 and socket 34 to brace said socket, and the socket 34 carries a set screw 37 for clamping the stake 35 within said socket. The stake 37 'has an aperture 38 near its upper end for convenience in withdrawing or pulling the stake from the ground, by the aid of a pick or other implement.

ln using` the device` after the rail ends are properly positioned in alinernent.` the joint member is placed in a substantially inverted position, as seen in dotted lines in 3, with the head 3() hooked under the Vflanges 10 ot the rails, and said member `is then swung outwardly and downwardly, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3, so that the head 30 moves up under the tread portions 9 ot the rails, while the base 32 swings downwardly onto the ground at the outer side oit the rails. The joint member moves over the plates 11, which pass through the slot 21, thereby bringing the portions 19 and 2() adjacent to the base flanges 8 and webs 7 ot the rails with the head 30 iitted snugly within the pocket oi the top portions ot the rails. The keys 17 and 13 are then inserted through the slots 15 and 16, and are driven tightly into place. Said keys scat in the yieldablc seats 27, which are sprung, whereby to tightly clamp the flanges 23 and portion 29 against the webs oi the rails, and to also tightly clamp the flanges 22 on the base llanges 3 ot the rails. The rail ends are 'tl'iei'e'lore secured tightly together, by being clamped against the joint member. FurtherH more, the rail ends are thus supported against depression, and the base flanges 8 are prevented Jfrom separating under the pressure or weight imposed on the rail ends, because the flanges 13 of the plates 11 in abutting the flanges 22 oit the joint member and the plates 11 in being disposed within the slot 21, as well the clamping action of the lll) key i8, will resist the separation of said base flanges. ,bis overcomes the tendency -for the rails to spread apart at the bottom when the finishingr mafhine passes over the joint. After the road has been finished and the ronerete eet, the rails are readily disconneeted.I by first drivingr the keys 17 and 18 out ot the slots in the plates ll., and Withdrmvinnr the stake 53o. which permits the joint member to be swung upwardly over the rails, to the position shown in dotted lines in llie'. 2, wher-elw said member can be readily removed by the withdrawal of the head 3f) from between the flanges l0 and plates ll.

The present connection not only rigidly and tightly secures the rail ends in abutn ment, but also supports said rail ends against sagging' movement, by preventing Ythe spreading` ot the base fianges 8, as well as supporting the rail ends from the base Ha vin of thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A holding member for concrete forni rails Comprising :i base to r ,st on the ground or road bed, a pedestal portion Connected to the base and termed to bear on. the base flange of a. rail, against the web ot' the rail and i-.pwardly against the tread. portion of the rail, means for clamping;- said pedestal portion on the base flange. and means for Clamping the pedestal portion against the web.

il A holding member for eonerete form rails eomprisinfr a base to rest on the ground or road bed, a portion connected to the base and shaped to fit the outer side of rail, and in ans Ator clamping' said portion and rail together, base having an opstanding soelret for stake.

i2. A. holding member for concrete form :..ils comprising a base to rest on the ground .nad bed, pedestal portion connected to rianne of a rail, against the web of the rail and upwardly against the tread portion of the rail, means `for Clamping the pedestal portion against the web, and means for elannaingj the pedestal portion on the base flicijgje.y said base having a. stake socket.

t i'\ l'ioldingr member tor concrete form rails eomprising: a base and a portion exterdini; 'from the base to fit the end portions of sur-h rails over the base flanges thereof, said base bariiur a stake soolzetrising tl'ierefrom4 :t holding member for concrete form prisinp e leise, and a pedestal pori :i extendinnupwardly from the base to fit nonl 1 the web et" the rail above the base flange. sait portion having a head at its npper end extending outwardly to bear upwardly agrainsL tne tread of the rail.

n A v .p o. ir holding member or concrete form base, pedestal portion rails comprising extending upwardly from the base to fit against the web of a rail above the base flange, said portion having a head at its upper end extending outwardly to bear upwardly against the tread of the rail, and means for clampingthe pedestal. portion against the rail.

7. A concrete form comprising rails having upright webs, outwarrllvextendingP base flanges and outwardly-extending tread portions, said tread portions having depending flanges, afjoint member havingr a head to engage between said webs and depending flanges for the swinging movement of the lower portion of said member toward said webs over the base flanges, portions carried by said rails to project 'through said member when said member is swung against said webs, for preventing longitudiseparation of the rails, and means for securing` said member and rails together.

8. A concrete form comprising rails provided with outstanding portions in proximity to their adjacent ends, a joint member to lit against said rails over said portions, and means engage/able with said portions for clamping said member and rails tolgether. i

9. A concrete form comprising a rail havina` an upright web, an outwardly-extendinn' base flange and an outwardly-extending tread portion, said tread portion having,r a depending flange, a pedestal Constructed to seat on said base flange and having a head to engage between the web and said dependingr Harige, and means for holding the lower portion of the pedestal on said base flange to prevent the movement of the lower portion of the pedestal away from the web.

l0. A concrete form comprising rails disposed end to end and including; webs, out .vardlyseirtending base fianges and outwardly-extending tread portions, said tread portions having' depending flanges, a. joint member Constructed to fit the end portions of the webs at the outer side thereof and to bear on said base fianges, said member having a head to fit between the webs and depending flanges, said member and rails havingr portions to fit together and interengagre for preventing longitudinal separation of the rails. and means 'for clamping said member and rails together.

l1. A concrete 'form comprisinga rails disposed end to end and harina; outstanding portions in proximity to their adjacent ends, a joint member to t the adjacent end portions of said rails over said portions, said rails havingr upright webs and base fianfres, and means engageable with saidA portions for Clamping said member against said webs and base flanges.

12. A concrete form comprising rails disposed end to end, outstanding pla es carried by said rails at the ends thereof, a joint member to fit the rails over said plates, and

llfi

a key to be driven through said plates for clamping said member and rails together.

13. A concrete torni comprising rails dis posed end to end, outstanding plates secured to said rails at the adjacent ends thereof and having slots to register with one another, said rails having upright webs and base flanges, an angular joint member to fit said webs and base flanges of the rails and having a slot tor the passage of said plates, and keys insertable through said slots for clamping said member to the webs and base flanges ot said rails.

la. A concrete torni comprising rails disposed end to end, and having outstanding portions, a joint member to fit against said rails over said portions, a lrev to be driven through said portions, and a `vieldable resilient seat `for the key carried by said member.

l5. A concrete forni comprising rails disposed end to end and having outstanding plates at their adjacent ends provided with lrev slots to register with one another, said rails having webs and hase flanges, an angular joint member to tit against said webs and base flanges and haif'ing a slot to receive said plates, kevs to be driven through said key slots, and yieldahle resilient seats for the keys carried by said member, said slots and seats being arranged for clamping said member to the webs and base flanges oi"- the rails when thekeys are driven through said slots.

16. A joint member for concrete 'form rails comprising a base portion, a pedestal portion extending upwardly therefrom and having a head to tit under the tread portions of such rails, said portions having a slot for receiving outstanding portions of such rails.

i7. A joint member for concrete term rails comprising a base portion and a pedestal portion rising therefrom, said portions having a slot for receiving outstanding portions ot such rails, and the pedestal having a rounded head to fit under the tread portions o't` such rails iior the downward swinging movement of said member into place over said rail portions.

18. A joint member for concrete form rails comprising a base to bear on the ground or road bed, a portion extending from said base to bear on the base iianges of such rails. a pedestal portion rising from said portion to bear against the web oi said rails, said portions having' a slot 'for receiving outstanding portions ot such rails, and the pedestal portion having an outturned rounded head to tit under the tread portions of said rails and to provide tor the downward swinging movemento't' said member into place against the rails over said por"y tions thereof.

19. it concrete form comprising rails disposed end to end and having outstanding plates their adjacent ends, a lioint member having a portion to bear on the i'langes ot said rails, a pedestal portion to hear against the webs 01' said ails, base extending .trom the Atirst named portion to bear on the ground or road bed, said port' h ving` a slot to receive said plates, nodesL l L ai having head to move under ano 1 Athe tread portions oli said rails, and 'Cable with said plates 'for elii'ii',iiiig said member and rails together.

fr concrete ilorrn comprising rails disend. outstanding abutment s oli the rails having danges Ytrom suh rail ends and e rails, a joint member to tit a slot to receive said plates -,anges to extend toward the against same at the edges ot le .l flanges, and means engageable with said plates for clamping said member and rails together.

. .fi concreto torni comprising rails disend end and having base flanges, up ight websA outturned tread portions, and igea dope Ading ji'om said tread portions, outstanding ahutment plates tlush with the ends o'lZ said rails having ilanges extend ing away 'from said ends and secured to said base flanges and webs ot the rails, said plates havingslots to register with one another, a joint member having` base to bear on the ,Q -round or road bed at the outer side ot the rails and formed 'lor the downward passage oi'' a. stake therethrough, portieri extending trom said base to be disposed over the base| 'flanges o'lE the rails, and a pedestal portion rising trom said portion, said portion having i'ianges at their edges extending toward the base flanges and 'webs oi" the rails to be disposed at the edges ot the flanges oi said plates, the pedestal having an Youtturned rounded head to move under and tit said tread portions and depending Fang-es ot said rails b v the downward swinging` movement ci said jointmemben and lre'vs to he driven 'through said slots 'tor clamping said member against the base 'flanges and webs ot said rails.

Q52. i concrete form comprising a. rail having an upright web, an outwardlvextending base flange and an oujtwardlv-extending tread portion, a pedestal to seat on said base tlango and ha fing a head to bear upwardly against said tread portion. and mean..4 at the outer side ot said 'web tor re taining the pedestal on said base vtlange against movement away 'from the web. i

23. concrete 'form comprising a rail an upright web, an outwardly-ei;- l base flange and an outwardly-exg tread portion, a pedestal to seat on posed e said base iiange and having a head to bear upwardly against said tread portion, means at the outer side of said Web for retaining the pedestal on said base flange against movement away from the web7 and a portion rigid with said pedestal and having a stake socket beyond the edge of said base llange.

24. A concrete form comprising a rail having an upright Web, an outwardly extending base flange and an outwardly eX tending tread portion, and a device for bracing the rail including a portion to seat on said base flange, a portion to bear upwardly against said tread portion and means for exerting pressure to hold the last named portions in tight engagement with the rail.

25. A concrete form comprising a rail having an upright web, an outwardly-extending base flange and an outwardly-extending tread portion, and a bracing device including a base portion to bear on said base ange, a head to bear upwardly against the tread portion, and means for securing said device in place with the base portion and head portion tightly against the base flange and tread portion, respectively.

26. Ar concrete forni comprisinga rail having an upright web, an outwardly-extending base flange and an outwardly-extending tread portion7 and a device for bracing the rail including a portion to seat on the base llange, a portion to bear upwardly against the tread portion, and wedge means operable for securely holding the last named portion against the base flange and tread portion.

In testimony whereof l hereunto ailix my signature.

FRANCIS O. HELTZEL. 

